With Puller’s retirement, the race is on.

State senator to retire at end of current session.

Calling State Senator Linda T. “Toddy” Puller’s announcement to retire “bittersweet,” Del. Mark Sickles explained that it is “bitter because her absence will leave a gaping void here in Richmond; sweet because nobody has done more in one life to deserve less hectic years at home with friends and family.”

Former member of Congress, district supervisor.

Local probation office reintegrates ex-offenders into community.

As a longstanding observer of criminal behavior trends Lisa Stapleton, a 21-year veteran of the state Department of Corrections and, since 2007, chief of Probation and Parole of Alexandria, said, “80 percent of our adult offenders on probation have committed crimes because they have at one time or another been involved in substance abuse violations … and I would also say that we are much more aware that the source of problems for many offenders entering into criminal behavior are untreated or unresolved mental health issues.

Community supports dogs’ continued use of Westgrove Park.

Approximately 100 citizens attended the Park Authority’s public hearing Tuesday night, April 30, to discuss the proposed master plan for the Westgrove Park, off of Fort Hunt Road and adjacent to Belle View Elementary School.
Although some residents and organizations expressed reservations and concerns, the majority of attendees and speakers supported the creation of the off leash dog area at Westgrove Park. Opposition was minor, with the bulk of the criticism aimed at fine tuning the proposal. The next step for the Park Authority staff is to review the residents’ comments and modify their proposal before submitting to the Park Authority Board for its review and final vote.